Neither in war nor yet at law ought any man to use every…
““Neither in war nor yet at law ought any man to use every way of escaping death. For often in battle there is no doubt that if a man will throw away his arms, and fall on his knees before his pursuers, he may escape death; and in other dangers there are other ways of escaping death, if a man is willing to say and do anything. The difficulty, my friends, is not in avoiding death, but in avoiding unrighteousness; for that runs faster than death.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Avoiding death is less important than avoiding immoral actions; ethical integrity outweighs survival instincts.
In simple terms: Ethics matter more than staying alive.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize moral choices over fear of death.
Themes
ethics
integrity
life and death
philosophy
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- war
- legal dilemmas
- personal crises
- decision making
Key Concepts
moral philosophy
Stoicism
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance self‑preservation with ethical standards?
- When does survival justify compromise?
A Different Perspective
Moral dilemmas can be complex and context‑dependent.